Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave Therapy for Foot and Heel Pain
Shockwave therapy in Calgary is available at Alberta Family Podiatry for patients with chronic foot and heel pain. This non-surgical treatment uses acoustic pressure waves to stimulate a healing response in injured or chronically painful tissue. At Alberta Family Podiatry, we use the Swiss DolorClast® system to provide extracorporeal radial shockwave therapy. This treatment is commonly used for foot and heel conditions that have persisted despite more traditional treatments.
Shockwave therapy is one of several treatment options we may consider depending on your condition. Whether it is appropriate for you depends on your diagnosis, how long the problem has been present, the underlying factors contributing to your symptoms, and the treatments you have already tried.
Conditions We Treat With Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy can be used to treat a number of painful foot and ankle conditions, particularly problems involving tendons and the attachment of soft tissues to bone. At Alberta Family Podiatry, we may consider shockwave therapy for conditions such as:
- Plantar fasciitis and chronic heel pain
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Other chronic tendon and soft tissue conditions of the foot and ankle
Treatment is recommended only after an examination and diagnosis. Shockwave therapy may be used on its own or as part of a broader treatment plan that can include stretching, footwear changes, orthotics, activity modification, or other therapies.
Could Shockwave Therapy Help Your Foot Pain?
Schedule an appointment for shockwave therapy in Calgary with Alberta Family Podiatry to find out whether this treatment may be appropriate for your condition. Call us at 587-355-3992 or use the text button on this page to contact our clinic.
How Shockwave Therapy Works
Extracorporeal radial shockwave therapy delivers a series of acoustic pressure waves into the affected tissue. These waves create mechanical stimulation within the treatment area, which may help promote the body’s natural healing processes and reduce pain associated with chronic tendon and soft tissue conditions.
During treatment, the Swiss DolorClast® applicator is positioned over the painful or affected area and a series of shockwaves are delivered through the skin. The treatment is performed in the clinic and does not require injections, anesthesia, or surgery.
Shockwave therapy is generally used for conditions that have become persistent or have not responded adequately to more conventional treatments. The goal is not simply to temporarily mask pain, but to stimulate a biological response within the affected tissue that may support healing and recovery.
What to Expect During Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is performed at our Calgary clinic during a regular appointment and usually takes only a few minutes to treat the affected area. Gel is applied to the skin and the Swiss DolorClast® applicator is positioned over the area being treated. A series of radial shockwaves are then delivered while the intensity is adjusted based on the treatment area and your comfort.
Most patients feel a tapping or pulsing sensation during treatment. Some areas may be sensitive or uncomfortable, particularly directly over the injured tissue, but the treatment is generally well tolerated and does not require anesthesia.
After treatment, patients can usually walk and return to most normal daily activities. Some temporary soreness or tenderness can occur in the treated area. The number and frequency of treatments varies depending on the condition and how the patient responds to therapy.
How Many Shockwave Treatments Are Needed?
Most patients receive a series of three to six shockwave therapy treatments, typically scheduled approximately one week apart. The number of treatments required depends on the condition being treated, how long it has been present, and how the patient responds to therapy.
Shockwave therapy may not be appropriate immediately following certain other treatments. In particular, we generally avoid shockwave therapy within six weeks of a corticosteroid injection in the treatment area. Your medical history, medications, recent injections, and other relevant factors will be reviewed before treatment to determine whether shockwave therapy is appropriate and when it can safely be started.
Does Shockwave Therapy Hurt?
Shockwave therapy can cause some discomfort during treatment, particularly when the applicator passes over the injured or most sensitive area. The intensity can be adjusted throughout the treatment based on your comfort and the condition being treated.
Most will tolerate the treatment without anesthesia. It is also common to experience some temporary tenderness or soreness in the treated area afterward. This usually settles as the tissue recovers following treatment.
